Spoken like a true Canadian! When I moved from Michigan to southern California (near San Diego,) I was also taken aback by the open air malls. But they don't have snow and slush and sleet and ice here - and not much rain either. As far as open air escalators, I've run into those in Singapore, Bangkok, and Hong Kong. Always roofed over to protect from sun and rain,, but open air nonetheless.
Good people around the world Loved your story about Deborah... so much kindness and goodness in the world. We loved, loved, loved the Ica desert and Naca lines.Eager to hear more.
Sun and Clouds love to dance at Machu Picchu! Each moment the light changes and the stones and images differ. It is such an amazing place.Indeed one must see it to believe it. Confession time. You have that fear of water and I have a fear of falling, not of heights but of falling. As we took the hike to the sun gate there is a portion that narrows and you have to climb 6 or 8 steps with no rails and you can see down the mountain. My heart was pounding but I refuse to let my fear take over so I got on my hands and knees and climbed up those steps! It was so worth it to see the view at the top. I loved to hear the stories that could be told at Machu Picchu!
Life is full of surprises And, wow, the water park was a surprise - as was that Radisson employee. Which one will you most remember in ten years' time? I'll bet it will be Debora!
Life is full of surprises Hello Mike, thanks for reading and appreciating!
Places stay in the memory...they pass like a slide show in front of your eyes during the moments of reminiscence, but the people stay in your heart as treasures. You bet it so right - It's Debora who made the difference. Actually, we are in touch and we are friends in social media...
Machu Picchu You have made it to Machu Picchu Tab and wandered through the ruins and viewed it from height. That will remain with you forever. Oh how fortunate you have taken wonderful photos that can take you back there to see what you saw with your own eyes. Those are true memories...and they are your own. How good is that!!!
Machu Picchu So right you are...memories are treasure and they are forever....yes, the photos are nostalgic,,,they take me down the memory lane. Well said Dave, well said...thank you!
"Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodnight till it be morrow." Shakespeare had it right (except it was said by Juliet to Romeo and not Tab to Machu Picchu) - this sad parting from the love of your life will last only until you return.
"Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodnight till it be morrow." Hahaha....I am no Shakespeare...I don't even dare dream about it....but this came out from the inner soul of an ordinary man like me and perhaps true as you said ....until I return. Well said, my friend....quite catchy!
Crown Jewel of Peru It is an amazing place to be experienced. Serene, mystical, spiritual and mesmerizing. It is one of our favorite locations on earth... it really spoke to us. I thank you for taking us along. We hiked to the Sun gate and I crawled up some of the steps as my fear of falling had the best of me. Funny now but not at the time.
Crown Jewel of Peru MJ, you really summed up the spirit of Machu Picchu: 'Serene, mystical, spiritual and mesmerizing'. Indeed it is a place I wouldn't mind revisiting...to me really it is an ideal place for soul searching while reminiscing the glory of the Inca days. Thank you MJ...
An endless bucket list Thanks Tab. While I do have lung problems, which make even the thought of Machu Picchu rather daunting, I'm keeping it on the bucket list and I'll be sure to contact you if I ever manage to go there. The list continues to get longer and longer - and, unfortunately, I keep getting older and older, hence my comment about probably never getting there. I still have a lot of my beloved India to explore - Gujarat next, then Sikkim, Assam, Arunchal Pradesh, Nagaland.... One life is not enough!
An endless bucketlist Sure thing...I understand...I really concur with your thought about Assam and Arunachal. I was born in Assam, but never traveled to Arunachal. It's in my bucketlist too.
An endless bucket list This is yet another place on my endless bucket list. Alas, I'm not young enough to ever get there so I much enjoyed your tale. Even though English may not have been your childhood tongue, you use some very evocative language to describe what you see (the river that flows 'like a dancing little girl' and the evening that 'was dripping down with sound of silence'). I was there with you!
An endless bucket list Hello Mike, thank you for your accolades. Means much to me! Regarding traveling to Machu Picchu, believe me, age is not the factor as one does not need to hike at all for traveling to Machu Picchu. If some one prefers to hike to Sun Gate or climb up the Huyana Picchu, that is an individual choice. But transportation is adequate for traveling to the ruins and enjoying the beauty. The altitude sickness can be overcome through acclimatizing in Cusco for a day or two and there are prescriptive medications. So, my recommendation would be to go for it. I will provide you all the tips and contacts.
Machu Picchu in the afternoon The joy of arriving then having our first view. I remember it well. Then the realisation of the wonder we made it there at all. Priceless! Your writing conveys that well.
Machu Picchu in the afternoon Hi Dave, indeed it was priceless. I am happy to know that my blog rekindled your love for the wonder that you did experience in the past. Much appreciated! I have one more on pending on Machu Picchu....hopefully next week.
Beautiful It is indeed a beautiful part of the world. Awesome landscape! And yes, it was great that Suman came with me in this trip. Made the trip more enjoyable. Thank you for your comments!
Sacred Valley Every traveller has a different story...a different experience...similar enthusiasm. Gotta love that area Tab. May your Machu Picchu make your spirit soar!
Sacred Valley "Every traveller has a different story...." you are so right Dave. Every one has a different perspective, a different story to tell...people say "the beauty is in the eyes of beholder," ;perhaps right, but I add to that, "a story lies in the heart of a traveller". But the spirit is the same, isn't that amazing?
I am traveling to India tomorrow for a family emergency and I will post my blog on Machu Pichu when I am back a week or two later. I ask forgiveness of my readers for the delay in my story-telling!
The seductive Sacred Valley I'm not sure but we may have eaten in the same restaurant in Ollantaytambo. Your description sounds familiar. Love the New Jersey to Mexico commute story. Oh.. the crazy things we do. I'm not sure llamas are naturally friendly. I'm not sure you were irritating them. We have friends who raised them.. but I do understand Alpacas are far less agreeable. I do think you should have spent the night in the capsule... love to have a photo of that climb. It is always good to listen to the whispers of the Incan Gods.
The seductive Sacred Valley Knowing you two world globe trotter, I am sure you may have enjoyed a hearty meal in the same restaurant in Ollantaytambo. It's not a big town, and I wouldn't be surprised. As for the llamas, now I feel comforted that it was not my face they got irritated at (although the hint comes from Suman that it was actually me!!!). And MJ, YOU wanted me to go up the skylodge climbing those rocks!!! Noooooooooooooo way! How could you, MJ...you inspired me to swim, but not rock climbing!!!!
My father grew up amid the green hills of Assam in India. When I was a little boy, I went with him to see the vastness of nature, holding his hand. He is the one who instilled the love for nature in me; everything I love in nature today, I owe to him.
I have lived in Canada for many years now, but my love for nature and the outdoors is everlasting. Travelling and photography are my passions. Although I visit tourist areas, I rarely spend time there unless there are historic interests. I often travel off the beaten paths of jungles, mountains and rural areas. While travelling to such places... full info
Kuan Yin
Karen Johnson
Spoken like a true Canadian!
When I moved from Michigan to southern California (near San Diego,) I was also taken aback by the open air malls. But they don't have snow and slush and sleet and ice here - and not much rain either. As far as open air escalators, I've run into those in Singapore, Bangkok, and Hong Kong. Always roofed over to protect from sun and rain,, but open air nonetheless.